Wow surprising development. If a trade does take place.. Cincinatti has Chad Johnson who they are trying to unload, Detroit has the standout Calvin Johnson. Wouldnt mind adding either to become a 3 headed monster with Moss/Welker
I would hope that Burnett has exceeded 200 innings more times than Lester and Dice K, considering he's been around since 99. Lester and Dice have been around for just couple of seasons.
AJ has topped 200 innings on 3 seperate occasions-- 02, 05, 08
Every single rotation has their own questions
Yanks
CC must prove he can actually pitch in the playoffs
Burnett is good, IF HEALTHY
Wang is coming off an injury marred year
Joba has never endured a full season in the rotation
Hughes must prove himself in the majors
Boston
Will we see the 07 Beckett or 08?
Lester pitching a career high in innings
Matsuzaka. He got by despite leading the league with 94 walks. Also gave up just 12 HRs in 167.2 innings. Will the free passes catch up to him?
Penny- Shoulder concerns. He could be a #3 or he could be what Wade Miller was for us
Wakefield- Almost lock for 10-15 wins, 4-4.5ish ERA, roughly 175 innings. But he has been wearing down at the end of the last 3 seasons
As it stands right now (barring any trades), Im thinking the 25 man roster will look something like this
Catcher- Platoon to start the season off of Kottaras/Bard
1st Base- Kevin Youkilis
Backup-- Jeff Bailey. Though there is rumblings that Kotsay could come back to the Sox
DH- David Ortiz
2nd Base- Dustin Pedroia
Shortstop- Platoon of Lowrie/Lugo
3rd Base- Mike Lowell
Left Field- Jason Bay
Center Field- Jacoby Ellsbury
Right Field- J.D. Drew
Backup-- Sox looking for right handed hitting outfielder from outside the organization, Gabe Kapler or Rocco Baldelli
Starting Rotation
Josh Beckett
Jon Lester
Daisuke Matsuzaka
Brad Penny
Tim Wakefield
Bullpen
Wes Littleton
Javier Lopez
Manny Delcarmen
Ramon Ramirez
Justin Masterson
Hideki Okajima
Jonathan Papelbon
Considering he'll be turning 38 this year, coming off right shoulder surgery (throwing arm), appeared in just 51 games (.268 avg, 3 HRs, 22 RBIs).... Il believe it when I see it that he's one of the 2 best offensive catchers in baseball
He's destined to become the full time DH which Im wagering to bet that the Yankees will outbid the Sox for Mauer in 2010 offseason
Its only one year/$5 million. Ill take it, hopefully the Sox can work with him on his shoulder. I know he'll give more than Schilling did for us last year
Bard, he was traded because he couldnt handle the knuckler (7 passed balls in April). He might be the starting catcher (or platoon with Brown/Kottaras), backup to Varitek/Salty/Montero. Varitek is the least likely
CC- 6 years
Burnett- 5 years
Joba- 5/6 years
Wang- 3 years
Ben Sheets- Id say it would take at least 3 years to lock him up. Higher salary if its 2 years or less.
Even then, I dont see a Sheets signing as likely. It would give the Yankees the best rotation in baseball... IF HEALTHY. Sheets and AJ are definite injury risks, Joba has never logged a complete season as a starter, Wang is coming off a non-existent season and has visited the DL prior to 08
But Youkilis is also highly capable of being a gold glove 3rd baseman, which makes the need to give him an extension (if possible greater). As Dojii said, they will be forced to look into free agents in 2010 regardless
Id say the top 2 priorities for the Sox are now catcher and right handed outfielder. After that its 5th starter if they do choose to go to the FA route. I like the bullpen they have set up for 2009, but if any deals come along the way, nice to have extra depth
Ive noted this before, Papi came right out and said that this lineup needs a legitimate power threat beside him. He said this even though Youk had a breakout season, and Bay is almost a sure bet to have a 30+ HR/100+ RBI season
Bay and Youkilis will be free agents within the next 2 seasons. Yes we have Lars Anderson but he has to prove he can be a big power threat in the majors. Getting Tex wouldve given them a stable mate in the heart of the order for the better part of an 8 year deal
Yes this team came within one game of the world series... but they were helped getting to the playoffs with the Yankees having such a poor season all around
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view/2008_12_25_Free_agency_not_worth_it_for_Red_Sox:_Pulling_out_of_Mark-et/
Good to see before I go to bed, from Sean MacAdams
Indications are that the front office is leaning toward swearing off big-priced free agents for good while emphasizing on scouting and player development. So if no extension is made for Bay, who is our left fielder? Bubba Bell?